Whew....almost 5 months in. Where does the time go? This baby girl is teaching me to slow down. She is teaching me to cherish every moment, because time is going so quickly. I had no idea how fast it would go. She is growing and changing so much. She is rolling all over the place, and starting to try and sit up. She has a happy little personality, and is just so much fun!

There is much about this season that I am so grateful for. Thanksgiving was a sweet time. As I think back to previous holidays where I longed for a baby, I was so thankful to be holding my girl this year. I just sent out Christmas cards, and I can't tell you how overwhelming it is that we have a third family member in that picture with us, after four years of it being just the two of us. It was so sweet to sign those cards, "Brett, Laura, and Evelyn Kittrell". Truly, God's plans are so much better than mine. Waiting for this baby to join our family certainly wasn't in my plans, but I am thankful for how God saw fit to bless us. His timing is perfect.

Image  by Kathryn Peters Photography — Image by Kathryn Peters Photography

We are wrapping up her first little sickness, and man....let's not do that again. Seriously....seeing my baby sick is FAR worse than me being sick. I will gladly take it from her next time, although the extra snuggles were welcomed by me. This time made me so grateful that I get to be home with her. Don't get me wrong....it is hard. I have been around babies a lot. I felt that I was fairly prepared for motherhood, but I had no idea how challenging some days would be. Being up in the middle of the night is exhausting, but God always gives me the rest I need (although I pray for more daily), and sustains me to be ready for the next day. I don't always have the best attitude, and certainly don't always look forward to seeing the hour of 3 AM (or 12 AM, or 2 AM, or 5 AM). But, the rewards of this work that I get to do are so great. I have always wanted to have babies and stay home and take care of them. I am living my dream. Again, not that it is always perfect...But I am so grateful for this opportunity.

I have been thinking a lot about how I see a picture of the gospel in motherhood. God has allowed me to see, probably the most evident picture of the gospel through my marriage. But motherhood...... I am seeing the gospel with fresh eyes. Evelyn has really done nothing to deserve my love, but she has it forever and ever. I have done nothing to deserve God's love, but He loves me unconditionally. I am so grateful. In spite of my sin, God chooses to love me. What a gift and a privilege.

I can't believe that it was around this time last year that we were getting ready to announce that we would be becoming a family of three. The year has flown by, and these past few months have been so quick. I feel like I say it over and over, but there is truly no greater gift than this sweet girl. It is the hardest and best thing I have ever done. Somedays I think.....how will I do this when another one comes along....and other days, she makes me want to have 12. :) She is so sweet, and is the best reason for exhaustion, spit up on my clothes, and a messy house. I am so blessed, and so thankful that God has allowed me to be her mommy. I am so grateful for what I am learning, and for God's grace when I make mistakes.